Pre-Renovation and Pre-Demolition Asbestos Surveys

Is a survey required?

In New York, yes for work that disturbs building materials. NYS DOL requires an asbestos survey before work disturbs building materials, regardless of construction date. DOL P231 tells building-permit applicants that Industrial Code Rule 56 requires a survey by a NYS-certified inspector before renovation, remodeling, repair, or demolition. Before a demolition, the survey goes to the municipality issuing the permit and to the state Asbestos Control Bureau.

If DOL has already posted a stop-work order on your project, see what happens next and how we can help.

In Vermont, the owner hires a Vermont-licensed asbestos inspector before renovating, demolishing, or cleaning up after a fire. Demolition requires 10 working days' notice to the Vermont Department of Health. Some owner-occupied homes are exempt; call us and we will tell you what applies. We survey statewide under Vermont Asbestos Consulting Company license Asb-Co-Con-000089, printed for ClearVU Inspections LLC. See the Vermont page.

Does the building's age matter?

NYS DOL requires an asbestos survey before work disturbs building materials, regardless of construction date. EPA and Vermont rules have no age cutoff either, though some homes are exempt; call us and we'll tell you what applies.

The single-family, owner-occupied exemption

DOL P229 and 12 NYCRR 56-1.3(a) describe the single-family, owner-occupied exemption: a single-family dwelling, occupied or to be occupied by the owner, with the owner doing the work personally. It does not extend to landlords, flippers, or contractors, and it does not apply to a building that will be demolished. If you are not sure which side of that line you are on, call before anyone opens a wall. The conditions are also on the New York asbestos rules page.

Demolition submittals

A pre-demolition survey documents suspect materials, sample locations, quantities, and laboratory results so the building department and the Asbestos Control Bureau can review the job. The report lists the inspector's certificate and the company handling license. Bulk samples analyzed by independent, accredited labs.

Fire-damaged buildings

Mixed fire debris does not have an approved bulk-sampling method. A contamination assessment is sometimes needed, and a Project Designer determines whether a site-specific variance is needed. In Vermont, a licensed inspector is required before fire cleanup. Soot and residue on surfaces, separate from the asbestos survey, is covered under fire and soot residue testing.

Other hazardous materials

A demolition or gut renovation often needs more than asbestos. Hazmat and PCB surveys inventory asbestos, lead paint, PCB caulk, paint, and light ballasts, and mercury and refrigerant units in New York and Vermont. The survey is an inventory and a testing report.

NYS HCR-funded housing

ClearVU has prepared asbestos surveys for NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR)-funded housing projects. The lead counterpart is on the lead page.

What the report includes

Industrial Code Rule 56-5.1 describes what a survey has to contain. Ours identifies homogeneous areas, estimated quantities, sample locations, bulk-sample results, and the licenses required by 56-5.1. Bulk samples analyzed by independent, accredited labs. ClearVU analyzes Vermont PCM air samples.

For a pre-1978 renovation in New York or Vermont, ask about a combined asbestos survey and lead inspection. After the survey, the usual path is project design or a variance when the code cannot be followed as written, then project monitoring, then clearance air sampling.